Termites in Treated Wood

**sanderson** 4/7/2018, 3:44 am

As most of you know, I'm a big fan of Table Top beds. In 2014, I discovered roots from trees, bushes and roses invading the original beds on the ground. I also found dry rot and termite damage in the wood frames. Well, today I found termites in one of the legs of a small table top bed as well as in part of its frame.

This small 2' x 2' bed, built in April 2014, was emptied in order to move it to a new location.

This corner definitely showed signs of rot and possibly termites.

That corner of the bed was set on the notch of this 4" x 4" leg.

As you can see, termite damage goes all the way through the center of the post, where the "treatment" does not reach.

Ken dismantled the box for green waste and garbage can, and will be building me a new box of 2" x 8". In the daylight, I'll check the other 3 legs for termites to see if they are reusable. Either with legs or not, the four corners will be set on 4 bricks. PS: The plywood bottom was still solid except for that extreme corner!

DorothyG 4/8/2018, 1:33 am

Wow, Sanderson, that is bad! That is the first time I have seen them eat the center of a treated board. You are right, the treatment doesn't reach the middle. You don't have a problem with termites eating your house?

**sanderson** 4/8/2018, 2:23 am

Years ago we did have termites in an exterior wall. Thank goodness it was treatable with exterior soil treatment around the foundation. We had 2 treated-wood planters about 4" from the foundation on that side. When we tore out the boxes, there was termite damage in the wood. Now, that treated wood was the old fashion type that was toxic treated. Treated wood today has a milder chemical and that is what this leg is made from.

I keep the foundation clear of any wood or chips. All of the beds are off the ground. I'm really shocked that the "treated" legs of this bed are what were eaten clear through.

**jimmy cee** 4/8/2018, 6:18 pm

Newer treatments are much better for termite control. It eliminates the colonies, not just a barrier to them. It works by attracting them if colonies are in the area, then after this new material is brought back to their areas others are made aware that goodies are there...This material inhibits shedding on termites, termites do not shed, they die a natural death causing no alarm to the remainder on the colony, others continue to feed and colony dies off. Once no activity is detected the home is declared free of termites...it works, I paid $3,000 to do my home 20 years ago and never had them again. Do not spend the money on barriers while this treatment is available as termites find ways around barriers.A reputable company should be used and then set up a maintenance plan as an investment. When selling a home termite control is an added value..

**sanderson** 4/8/2018, 11:46 pm

Hi Jimmy

**sanderson** 4/8/2018, 11:55 pm

The new box is set on bricks.

has55 4/9/2018, 2:11 am

sanderson wrote:The new box is set on bricks.

this was going to be my suggestion or cement boots. Looks great.

has55 4/9/2018, 2:11 am

jimmy cee wrote:Newer treatments are much better for termite control. It eliminates the colonies, not just a barrier to them. It works by attracting them if colonies are in the area, then after this new material is brought back to their areas others are made aware that goodies are there...This material inhibits shedding on termites, termites do not shed, they die a natural death causing no alarm to the remainder on the colony, others continue to feed and colony dies off. Once no activity is detected the home is declared free of termites...it works, I paid $3,000 to do my home 20 years ago and never had them again. Do not spend the money on barriers while this treatment is available as termites find ways around barriers.A reputable company should be used and then set up a maintenance plan as an investment. When selling a home termite control is an added value..

who did you use for termite control?

**sanderson** 4/9/2018, 3:43 am

A local company, not one of the nation-wide chains.

**AtlantaMarie** 4/9/2018, 8:28 am

The new box looks good. And putting it on bricks is a good idea...

yolos 4/9/2018, 11:01 am

Did you throw out the dirt or recondition it in any way. Are you worried that you may have some termites in the soil that may start a new colony???

**sanderson** 4/9/2018, 3:44 pm

Yolos, I didn't even think of termite eggs in the soil. I think they need to be in moist wood and have a nurse to survive and they need to get the gut microbes. I haven't amended this bed for at least 24 months.

We shall see. Shocked

**jimmy cee** 4/9/2018, 10:49 pm

has55 wrote:
jimmy cee wrote:Newer treatments are much better for termite control. It eliminates the colonies, not just a barrier to them. It works by attracting them if colonies are in the area, then after this new material is brought back to their areas others are made aware that goodies are there...This material inhibits shedding on termites, termites do not shed, they die a natural death causing no alarm to the remainder on the colony, others continue to feed and colony dies off. Once no activity is detected the home is declared free of termites...it works, I paid $3,000 to do my home 20 years ago and never had them again. Do not spend the money on barriers while this treatment is available as termites find ways around barriers.A reputable company should be used and then set up a maintenance plan as an investment. When selling a home termite control is an added value..

who did you use for termite control?

Hi has55...I used Ehlrich co, out of New Bethlehem PA. They started about the mid 70s with a barrier and was that ever a pain. holes spaced 1 foot apart were drilled inside and outside around the entire perimeter of my house. I had to undo all basement fixtures, etc to do this. The cost was around $2000 and lasted for 20 or so years. Just a barrier, termites must have found a way around it for they appeared again years later. At that time newer treatments have developed which as mentioned destroys the entire colony. Any other method in my opinion is just throwing your money away. Here's a link to their web site https://www.jcehrlich.com

**jimmy cee** 4/9/2018, 10:55 pm

yolos wrote:Did you throw out the dirt or recondition it in any way. Are you worried that you may have some termites in the soil that may start a new colony???

Once a year termites swarm out of their colonies. This is when they are noticed inside an infested house. When they get outside they will fly short distances and if lucky fall in an area where a queen can develop and start a new colony.
By the way, my termite guy who was very knowledgeable having many years experience treating for termites told me ...."termites will under certain conditions work on a live tree"

**sanderson** 4/10/2018, 1:25 am

I saw a swarm from a section of our treated wood retaining wall. Thank goodness they flew to the neighbor's. I heavily sprayed the area with Bonide Termite and Ant Killer.

has55 4/10/2018, 4:27 pm

jimmy cee wrote:
has55 wrote:
jimmy cee wrote:Newer treatments are much better for termite control. It eliminates the colonies, not just a barrier to them. It works by attracting them if colonies are in the area, then after this new material is brought back to their areas others are made aware that goodies are there...This material inhibits shedding on termites, termites do not shed, they die a natural death causing no alarm to the remainder on the colony, others continue to feed and colony dies off. Once no activity is detected the home is declared free of termites...it works, I paid $3,000 to do my home 20 years ago and never had them again. Do not spend the money on barriers while this treatment is available as termites find ways around barriers.A reputable company should be used and then set up a maintenance plan as an investment. When selling a home termite control is an added value..

who did you use for termite control?
Hi has55...I used Ehlrich co, out of New Bethlehem PA. They started about the mid 70s with a barrier and was that ever a pain. holes spaced 1 foot apart were drilled inside and outside around the entire perimeter of my house. I had to undo all basement fixtures, etc to do this. The cost was around $2000 and lasted for 20 or so years. Just a barrier, termites must have found a way around it for they appeared again years later. At that time newer treatments have developed which as mentioned destroys the entire colony. Any other method in my opinion is just throwing your money away. Here's a link to their web site https://www.jcehrlich.com

thank you.

SQWIB 4/11/2018, 8:44 am

Great info
I found a few termites in my Koi Pond structure when replacing the bricks, any suggestions?

These are 6" x 6" PT. covered in ceramic Faux Bricks

Termites in Treated Wood 26221979297_5290e84f59_b

Termites in Treated Wood 26221979297_5290e84f59_b

Termites in Treated Wood 8695801989_f10859a4dc_b

Its like a "termite resort", plenty of wood and water lol.

Termites in Treated Wood 8696936302_8beef5792d_b

**sanderson** 4/11/2018, 4:07 pm

Oh, no!

**AtlantaMarie** 4/11/2018, 8:13 pm

Uh-oh..... Maybe replace w/ cinder block?

**jimmy cee** 4/11/2018, 11:22 pm

Better check your basement. Look carefully where the plate attaches to the foundation. Get a long sharp pick type tool and poke around as you go along. Do this carefully. If their in your yard they just might be in your home..

**jimmy cee** 4/11/2018, 11:23 pm

Better check your basement. Look carefully where the plate attaches to the foundation. Get a long sharp pick type tool and poke around as you go along. Do this carefully. If their in your yard they just might be in your home..If you discover soft areas dig in it to see why it's soft. Termite can tunnel up an inside wall leaving narrow mud tunnels exposed. Or they can easily tunnel up inside cement blocks, if basement is stone they can tunnel up through cracks in mortar.

**sanderson** 4/12/2018, 3:24 am

Most homes in CA do not have basements. The sign we had termites in the exterior wall were "winged ants" crawling up the inside wall. We also saw pin holes in the wood baseboards and window sills.

**jimmy cee** 4/12/2018, 10:53 pm

sanderson wrote:Most homes in CA do not have basements. The sign we had termites in the exterior wall were "winged ants" crawling up the inside wall. We also saw pin holes in the wood baseboards and window sills.

A true sign of termites...

**sanderson** 4/13/2018, 3:01 am

Yep, I now know what to watch for. Razz

yolos 4/13/2018, 8:11 pm

Well my pest control guy came out today and looked at my bed that is now termite infested. He said to just do nothing. WHAT. I kept asking him and he kept saying do nothing. He said they would move on or eat the wood and then move on. I told him doing nothing was not an option. So he then said to remove the wood and replace it with treated lumber. I asked him if there would be termites in the soil and he said yes. I asked him how to get rid of the termites in the soil and he said use Sevin dust. So I guess I will follow this course of action but not use it for a veggie bed but a flower bed this year. Maybe line the wood with plastic if I want to plant veggies in it.

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